Three Charged In Fatal Stabbing On High School Campus
VAN NUYS (CBSLA.com) — A 16-year-old alleged gang member will be tried as an adult for the first-degree murder of an 18-year-old man at Grover Cleveland High School in Reseda.
Anthony Carpio, 16, was charged today, along with two 19-year-old suspects, in the fatal stabbing of Kevin Orellano, who died shortly after suffering multiple stab wounds on the high school's campus on Wednesday.
Michael Carpio and Michelle Pineda, both 19, were arrested along with Anthony at a Panorama City home in the 15000 block of Rosie Boulevard early on Thursday.
Each faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, if convicted.
The Carpios were both charged with first-degree murder, while Anthony has the additional charge of special circumstance allegations of using a knife and committing the murder for the benefit of a street gang.
Pineda is looking at one count of accessory after the fact, as well as a gang allegation, that qualifies the crime as a serious felony.
Authorities reportedly found a maroon minivan that was believed to have been the getaway vehicle, and Pineda is alleged to have been the driver.
The suspects allegedly approached Orellano, who was playing handball with another person, according to investigators. Following a brief argument, one suspect reportedly punched him, and the other stabbed him with a pocket knife, according to police.
"Witnesses reported seeing the two suspects leave the school in a maroon-colored minivan driven by a young Hispanic female," police said.
Authorities also say that the male suspects are gang members, and that the victim had no apparent gang ties.
LAPD Cmdr. Sharon Papa told the Los Angeles Times that Orellano was an adult-education student at West Valley Occupational Center in Woodland Hills.
Police do not currently believe that the suspects are students.
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